Economic Growth

Investing dollars in greenways in the Triangle will yield substantial community-wide return on the investment. This return will be in the form of increased property values, business attraction, and recreation revenue, and reduced water treatment and flooding costs. Examples of how much other communities have realized from greenway development demonstrate such potential for the Triangle:

Increased Property Values

The existence of open space amenities also factors into the

--According to a study conducted for the real estate industry, out of 39 features identified by potential homebuyers as crucial factors in their home purchasing decision, "lots of natural open space" ranked second, just behind "quiet streets and low traffic". "Walking and biking paths" ranked third. This study revealed that the most attractive neighborhoods to live in are no longer golf course communities, but rather open space and trails communities. `

--The developer of the Shepherd's Vineyard subdivision in Apex, North Carolina, incorporated greenways into the design of the development and advertised the greenways as a selling point in marketing brochures. As a result, the lots and houses adjacent to the greenways sold the fastest and sold for an average of $5,000 more than similar lots in the subdivision that were not located next to a greenway.

Business Attraction

Tourists and potential homebuyers are not the only people attracted to communities which contain greenways. Business leaders are selecting sites for the relocation and expansion of industries and corporations where the quality of life is high and recreation opportunities are abundant. Increasingly, corporations are recognizing the benefits to their employees of convenient fitness and recreation facilities and are seeking these greenway amenities in potential business sites. `

--Research Triangle Park's 12-mile greenway trail system has attracted industry to the area. After a five-state search, Reichold Chemical chose to relocate to RTP because, as a company spokesman told the News and Observer, they wanted a corporate site near "the jogging trails". ``

--Prior to the development of the Pinellas Trail through the small town of Dunedin, Florida, businesses were suffering and the downtown storefront occupancy rate was at 30%. Today, revenue from trail users has spurred economic activity. Business is booming and there is now a waiting list for businesses to locate downtown.

Increased Recreation Revenue

Greenways have been proven to attract and retain tourists and expand tourism revenues in many communities. Trail users spend money in places such as hotels, restaurants, retail stores, campgrounds, bicycle shops, bed and breakfasts, gas stations, and ice cream stands. `

--The Tallahassee-St. Marks Trail in Florida where approximately 170,000 people visit every year, and the average user spends more than $11 a day, according to the National Park Service. `

--The Northern Central Rail Trail in rural Maryland which supports 264 jobs statewide and produces in excess of $3.38 million in annual revenues.

Decreased Costs of Water Treatment

Greenways, as vegetated buffers located adjacent to waterways, clean water by acting as filters, trapping nonpoint source pollutants. These pollutants, including sediment, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, gas and other chemicals, are transported into streams, rivers and lakes by stormwater when it rains or snows. Greenways, therefore, can reduce the need for expensive water-supply pre-treatment by cleaning water before it reaches residents. `

--The natural land along the Alchovy River in Georgia provide valuable water quality functions such as sediment, toxicant and excess nutrient removal. The least-cost substitute for the water quality benefits provided would be a water treatment plant costing $3 million.